USA striker Bobby Wood continues his search for his first goals of the season when Hannover host Hoffenheim on Tuesday (kick-off: 8:30pm CEST/7:30pm BST/2:30pm ET).
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Hamburg loanee Wood was handed his first start of the campaign on Matchday 4, but was sacrificed in the 31st minute following defender Miiko Albornoz's sending off as the Reds fell to a 2-0 defeat to Nuremberg. The American is expected to come straight back in against Hoffenheim, with either Josip Elez or Julian Korb deputising at left-back for the suspended Albornoz. Marvin Bakalorz and Linton Maina are additional candidates to begin the game, should head coach Andre Breitenreiter shake up his midfield.
Hoffenheim's fourth outing in 10 days, Julian Nagelsmann will almost certainly make changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund at the weekend. Pavel Kaderabek is likely to be recalled on the right flank after being rested on Matchday 4, while Kevin Akpoguma and Havard Nordtveit could start in defence. A second-half substitute for Andrej Kramaric against Dortmund, top scorer Adam Szalai is expected to start alongside Joelinton, who opened his Bundesliga account on Saturday afternoon.
Watch: Joelinton is back for a second bite at the Hoffenheim cherry
Probable line-ups
Hannover: Esser – Sorg, Anton (c), Wimmer, Elez – Bebou, Fossum, Walace, Bakalorz, Maina – Asano, FüllkrugAbsentees: Albornoz (suspended), Hübers, Prib (both knee)Coach: Andre Breitenreiter
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Akpoguma, Vogt (c), Nordveidt – Kaderabek, Bittencourt, Grillitsch, Zuber, Schulz – Joelinton, SzalaiAbsentees: Adams (ankle), Amiri (foot), Hübner (concussion), Geiger (thigh), Amiri (foot)Coach: Julian Nagelsmann